Last week, I was on board Celestyal Olympia cruising the Greek islands on assignment for Cruise International. You’ll be able to read my article shortly in the magazine (when I’ve actually finished and submitted it), but one of the things I was really impressed with was the food. We all know that the Mediterranean diet is super healthy, with the emphasis on good fats, fresh vegetables, beans and pulses and of course, all that fabulous fish, and I was bowled over by Greek food. I spend the week eating huge Greek salads, fat olives, fresh fish and vegetables and actually came home 2lb lighter without even trying. I was also fascinated by an article by Sali Hughes that recently appeared in The Pool about her decision to turn vegetarian in her forties. Many of Sali’s reasons echo my own feelings, so as a little experiment, I decided to give up meat while I was on the cruise. And honestly, now I’m really pondering becoming a pescatarian full time.

My feelings about meat are complicated, and have been for a while, so bear with me as this might be a bit waffly. Having seen TV footage of those awful, crowded chicken sheds, I always feel guilty eating chicken, so I buy free range (our food bills are ridiculous), but also I adore cooking and one of my absolute favourite things to cook is a big roast dinner with, say, a leg of lamb or a beef brisket and all the trimmings (placating myself with the fact that Waitrose have high welfare standards), but there have been a few things recently that have put me off a bit. The first thing was a segment on BBC’s One Show that interviewed a pig farmer right next to a sow in a farrowing crate. She was pretty matter of fact about her reasoning (which I can’t dispute), which is that if people want affordable meat, they have to accept that this (gesturing at the pig behind her with babies that she can’t even reach around to touch) is how they have to be reared.

A deliciously simple baked Feta salad on board Celestyal Olympia

The second thing was a lovely friend of Mr E’s giving us some venison mince. It’s all above board and he has the shooting rights to a local estate, but my god, the smell of the raw venison nearly tipped me over the edge and after I’d cooked it, I felt that I could still taste something ‘off’ about the meat and couldn’t eat it.

There are other things too… articles read about the environmental impact of meat production, the health benefits of a vegetarian diet… I could go on, but you get the picture.

This has left me avoiding chicken (especially when I don’t know where it’s come from) and buying expensive outdoor bred ham and bacon (and definitely no venison) which goes some way to assuaging my guilt (as Sali says ‘first, I did what people lucky enough to be comfortably off do to make themselves feel better: buy only organic and sustainable meat, and eat it rarely, like a posh bar of chocolate or 10-quid wine’). So here’s where I’m at, pondering becoming a pescatarian.

Aegean fish skewer with red rice on board Celestyal Olympia

I have a few worries about it too, though. Firstly, that I live in a household of four adults (often more), three of whom eat meat and love it. Will it be practical? We’re all adults, can they just go and eat meat elsewhere? But then is it fair to force my decisions upon other people? Having mentioned it, everyone’s actually pretty supportive. I’ve told them that I’ll continue to buy the outdoor bred ham and bacon if they want me to, but they’re happy to give it a go if we still eat fish. I’ll report back.

Oh, and if you don’t have dairy for whatever reason, I’ve been trying out Innocent’s new diary-free range. My own particular favourite is the hazelnut which is creamy and nutty and so nice you can just drink it on its own. It’s delicious in cereals and would make a fab hot chocolate. Second for me is the oat, again you could drink it on its own and it has a pleasing mild sweet taste most similar to normal milk, I would say (none of the milks are sweetened or have any nasty gums or stabilisers added). Least favourite for me is almond, which still has a very mild nutty taste, but I think it would suit people who want to use a milk alternative that isn’t overpowering. They’re available now priced at £1.99 for 750 ml from Waitrose, Ocado and Sainsbury’s and from 21st May in Tesco and Asda.

The Innocent dairy free range

Are you vegetarian or pescatarian, or seriously considering it? I’d love to know your thoughts x

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I am at the same crossroads with my diet and have been deliberating about becoming a vegetarian. My sister has been eating this way for over 30 years. There are 4 adults in our household as well, two who are ardent meat eaters and my oldest daughter who has been a vegan for 11 years (since the age of 13). When cooking for her, I always share and enjoy the meals (she does often prepare her own food though). I decided over a year ago to stop eating red meat and pork but find that cooking for people with varying tastes and diets can be challenging!!! For me, the animal welfare issues are the compelling reason to stop eating meat. Looking forward to hearing some more of your thoughts about food choices.

It’s so difficult, isn’t it? We’ve been trying to work around it by trying to enjoy more veggie recipes as a family or, failing that, me having fish when they have chicken. I’m sure we’ll get better as we work things out! I’m still at that stage where I don’t say ‘I’m a vegetarian’ as I’m too embarrassed. I’m sure the confidence will come in time! x

Hi I’ve not eaten red meat since I was 16. when girls were younger I started to eat chicken again although I don’t always want it. I eat fish but these days not as keen. Now 52 I don’t miss red meat at all and always been pretty healthy etc I do give meet to others in family occasionally

I’ve been a vegetarian for 30 years and have seen a real change in attitudes and acceptance over the years. As a teenager my parents thought it was a fad and as an adult vegetarian I felt the constant need to apologise for being the awkward one at a dinner party! But in recent years and the rise of the vegan, no-one bats an eyelash these days! For me, flavour is key and I’m much more inclined to eat a vegetable-based dish that is packed with fresh flavours than I am cooking with a meat substitute than has good intentions but leaves you feeling short-changed! I have a family of my own now and a daughter who is considering becoming a vegetarian whilst my husband and the boys are very much meat eaters. My advice to her is to try it. What has she got to lose?

Yes I do cook meat for the others but we eat a lot of shared veggie meals too. I’m ok with tried and tested meat recipes but I leave the more adventurous meat dishes to my husband to make. Or anything that requires lots of handling (removing bones, cutting up, etc) I’m a bit grossed out by all that if I’m honest! But we make it work somehow!

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